Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Certification
ICF Coach Certification FAQ
The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to professional coaching. Founded in 1995, ICF campaigns worldwide for professional standards within the coaching profession, and provides independent certification for professional coaches (through the ICF Credential) and coach training programs (through ICF Training Program Accreditation).
How do I become a certified coach?
To maintain the professional standard of a certified coach, ICF recommend all potential coaches to attend a coach-specific training that are approved by ICF. Upon completion of a minimum of 60 hours of coach-specific training, potential coaches will need to clock in additional coaching hours, prior to taking an online assessment administered by ICF Global. ICF has different levels of credential qualifications (see What are the different levels of ICF credentialing? below).
What are the different levels of ICF credentialing?
There are 3 levels of credentialing under ICF. Broadly, the requirements are:-
– Associate Certified Coach (ACC) – 60 hours of coach-specific training & 100 coaching hours
– Professional Certified Coach (PCC) – 125 hours of coach-specific training & 500 coaching hours
– Master Certified Coach (MCC) – 200 hours of coach-specific training & 2,500 coaching hours
Please refer to ICF Global website for other requirements.What are the benefits of getting an ICF credential?
With an ICF Credential, coaches demonstrate not only knowledge and skill, but also a commitment to high professional standards and a strong code of ethics. Organisations around the world are increasingly more aware about coaching, and are looking for credentialed coaches.
According to the 2012 ICF Global Coaching Study, credentialed coaches reported a higher-than-average income worldwide compared to non-credentialed-coaches. In the 2010 ICF Global Consumer Awareness Study, 84 percent of adult consumers who had experienced a coaching relationship reported that it was important for coaches to hold a credential.Is there any government body that regulates the coaching industry?
Today, coaching is not a regulated industry in any country. However, there are a few global organisations that regulates the ethical and professional standards for the coaching profession. The largest and most recognised coaching organisation is the International Coach Federation (ICF), which is headquartered in the USA. ICF have over 30,000 members located in over 140 countries. Founded in 1995, ICF seeks to advance the art, science and practice of professional coaching.
There are many professionals out there who call themselves Coaches. Do I need any qualification to be a Coach?
In recent years, the “Coach” title have increasingly been used as a marketing buzzword. This has created a lot of confusion in the industry as to what a “Coach” role should be. More organisations are becoming aware about this issue, and they are now hiring coaches that have the necessary qualifications and credentials. As such, it will become important in the coming years to have the appropriate qualifications as a coach.
How does a Coach differ from a Consultant?
Consultants are professionals that provide expert advice in their field of expertise. They provide solutions to address the clients problem.
Coaches on the other hand do not provide any solution or advice to their clients. A coach believes that the client is creative and resourceful, and are in the best position to derive the solution for themselves. Through a process of listening and questioning, the coach helps to create self-awareness and discovery, and empowers the client to achieve his goals.
To learn the difference between coaching, training, mentoring and counselling, please visit our coaching site.How do I get my ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential?
To acquire the first level of ICF ACC credential, participants would need to do the following:-
Complete a minimum of 60 hours of coach-specific training (could be through ACSTH or CCE portfolio path)
Complete 10 hours of mentor coaching
Clocked 100 coaching hours (70 hours* must be paid-coaching, 30 hours can be pro-bono coaching) – no time limit
Performance evaluation (one audio recording and written transcript of a coaching session to be uploaded with your application)
Apply to ICF Global upon meeting the above requirements
Complete an online Coach Knowledge Assessment, administered by ICF Global
Receive ICF ACC credential upon successful completion*In response to the COVID-19 crisis, ICF has temporarily increased the proportion of eligible pro bono coaching hours for coaches who apply for their ACC by December 31, 2021. Beginning January 1, 2022, ACC applicants will once again be required to document at least 75 hours of paid coaching experience. At least 25 of these hours must occur within the 24 months prior to submitting the application for the credential
More details are found at ICF website on Credentialing. Please refer to the ACC ACSTH or Portfolio path.What is Mentor Coaching?
For purposes of credentialing, mentor coaching means an applicant being coached on their coaching skills rather than coaching on practice building, life balance, or other topics unrelated to the development of an applicant’s coaching skill. The participant must be coached for a minimum of 10 hours over a minimum of 3 months by a qualified Mentor Coach. Applicants may have more than one qualified Mentor Coach. The Mentor Coach needs to hold an ICF ACC, PCC or MCC credential.
How does your program differ from other training providers?
Our training are face-to-face interactive learning environment. While we do understand the benefits of online learning, we believe that coaching skills are best learnt through experiential learning, not just with the facilitators but also through the interaction with your peer learners. Our minds are conditioned by our past experiences, values and beliefs, which shapes our perception and interpretation of situations and knowledge that we acquire. It’s only through the face-to-face interaction with the facilitators and peer learners that we realise there are many views behind what we thought it might be.
We understand how adult learn. We have designed and refined our program over the years with the right level of activities, games, facilitated learning, group discussion, coaching practicum that will bring the best learning value to our participants.
Moreover, our facilitators have over twenty five years of leadership experience, holding senior regional management positions in large MNCs and organisations. Having led and coached regional teams, the facilitators are able to understand participants challenges and share their experience. See what some of our past graduates have to say.I am currently working for my organisation. Is getting a coaching certification important?
Getting a coaching certification is not limited for professional coaches only. As more organisations become more aware about the value of coaching, they are building their own team of internal coaches besides hiring external coaches. When you are a certified coach, you not only build competency trust with your peers, you will also be able to coach at a much deeper level that will benefit your coachees.
Many of our participants who are leaders in their organisation have gone on to be great leader/manager coach empowering their team to greater performance. Concurrently, they also realised when they coach others , they develop themselves in the process. In other words, “When we grow others, We grow ourselves”, that’s the benefit of coaching.Is this program targeted just for Executive/Leadership coaching? What about Life/Financial/Health/Career Coaching?
Our coaching program is not targeted at any specific industry of coaching. Our program provides the foundation of coaching. Upon completion of the program, you can coach in any areas that you feel most comfortable with or have the most passion in. We have graduates from all walks of life!
Upon receiving the coaching certificate, can I start coaching clients?
Absolutely yes! The certificate is your endorsement to start coaching.
Are there any pre-requisites to attend the coaching program?
There are no pre-requisites required. As long as you have the interest and passion to coach others, you are most welcomed to join the program.
How do I get my ICF PCC (Professional Certified Coach) credential?
To apply for ICF PCC credential, the process is similar to applying for ACC credential. The key difference is that you will need to satisfy the following requirements:-
– Completion of a minimum of 125 coach-specific training hours.
– A minimum of 500 hours (450 paid) of coaching experience with at least 25 clients following the start of your coach-specific training. At least 50 of these hours must occur within the 18 months prior to submitting the application for the credential.
– Completion of the Coach Knowledge Assessment (CKA) where applicable.
More information are available at ICF PCC Credentialing website.WSQ Programme
The Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) is a national credential system that trains, develops, assesses and certifies skills and competencies for the workforce. The WSQ training programmes are funded and quality-assured by SkillsFuture Singapore, which awards the WSQ certifications.
WSQ Training – Employer Sponsored FAQ
What is Enhanced Training Support for SMEs?
The Enhanced Training Support for SMEs (ETSS) provides enhanced funding to enable SMEs to send their local employees (Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident) for training. SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) works with industry associations to identify courses which are suitable for employees of SME companies. Certifiable courses which are the Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ) type of program are highly subsidized.
The definition of SME as defined by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) are:
– Organisation registered or incorporated in Singapore AND
– Employment size of not more than 200 OR with annual sales turnover of not more than $100 million
The ETS program also supports absentee payroll funding when employees are away from their work attending training on top of the training grant. The goal is to encourage employers to invest in employee development.
More details are available at our WSQ Training Grant for SME website.Will I get a course certificate at the end of the workshop?
As this is a WSQ approved training, all participants who are assessed competent for the training will receive a Statement of Attainment (SOA) e-Certificate from SkillsFuture Singapore.
The e-Certs will be available for download in the MySkillsFuture.gov.sg account of the participants within two weeks of course completion.
If the course is an approved ICF accredited program, participants will also receive an e-Cert from the training provider.Do I have to pass the assessment?
Yes. All participants must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the training grant.
– Participant must be Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident aged 21 years and above
– Participant must attain minimum 75% attendance for both classroom and eLearning module
– Participant must be assessed to be “Competent” in all assessments.
The assessments may be in the form of written assignment and role play.Can I use my SkillsFuture Credit to pay for the course?
Self-sponsored participants can use their SkillsFuture Credit to pay for the net amount after the training subsidy. The SkillsFuture Credit can only be used for WSQ funded courses at this time.
Employer-sponsored participants are not allowed to use the SkillsFuture Credit.
Instructions on how to make payment using the SkillsFuture Credit will be provided in the invoice.Which of your courses are WSQ funded?
The Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) is a national credential system that trains, develops, assesses and certifies skills and competencies for the workforce. The WSQ funded programmes are funded and quality-assured by SkillsFuture Singapore, which awards the WSQ certifications.
Currently, the courses that are WSQ funded includes:
· Coaching for Performance and Capability Development (WSQ)
· Emotional Intelligence (EQ) for Transformational Leadership (WSQ)
· Team Leadership for Performance and Results (WSQ)More courses are coming along the way. Stay tune…
WSQ Training – Individual Sponsored FAQ
Will I get a course certificate at the end of the workshop?
As this is a WSQ approved training, all participants who are assessed competent for the training will receive a Statement of Attainment (SOA) e-Certificate from SkillsFuture Singapore.
The e-Certs will be available for download in the MySkillsFuture.sg account of the participants within two weeks of course completion.
If the course is an approved ICF Continuing Coach Education (CCE) program, participants will also receive an e-Cert from the training provider.Do I have to pass the assessment?
Yes. All participants must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the training grant.
– Participant must be Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident aged 21 years and above
– Participant must attain minimum 75% attendance for both classroom and eLearning module
– Participant must be assessed to be “Competent” in all assessments.
The assessments may be in the form of written assignment and role play.What is Workfare Skills Support (WSS) Scheme?
The Workfare Skills Support, WSS encourages lower wage workers to attend training to upgrade their work skills and improve their employability. Eligible individuals may receive course subsidy, Training Allowance (TA) and Training Commitment Award (TCA).
To qualify, individuals must meet the following criteria:
– Be a Singapore Citizen; and
– Aged 35 years and above (13 years and above for Persons With Disabilities); and
– Earn an average gross monthly income of not more than $2,300 for the months worked.
– Fulfils the WIS eligibility criteria of housing annual value (AV), property ownership and spousal income. The WIS criteria of housing AV, property ownership and spousal income are as follows:
o Lives in a property with an annual value of $13,0003 or less assessed as at 31 December of the preceding year
o Owns less than two properties
o If the individual is married:
+ The individual and his/her spouse own less than two properties together; or
+ The assessable income of the individual’s spouse for the preceding Year of Assessment is $70,000 or less.
– If the individual is a Self-Employed Person, s/he must have also declared his/her net trade income for work done in the Work Year and made Medisave contributions.Individuals may contact SkillsFuture Singapore, SSG or visit WSG Careers Connect centres for more information.
Can I use my SkillsFuture Credit to pay for the course?
Self-sponsored participants can use their SkillsFuture Credit to pay for the net amount after the training subsidy. The SkillsFuture Credit can only be used for WSQ funded courses at this time.
Employer-sponsored participants are not allowed to use the SkillsFuture Credit.
Instructions on how to make payment using the SkillsFuture Credit will be provided in the invoice.How much WSQ Training Grant Subsidy do I get?
This training grant subsidy is applicable for WSQ certifiable courses, and are given to Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Resident (PR). WSQ courses are aligned to the Skills Framework so as to enhance workers capabilities and productivity. The intent of the subsidy is to make these courses more affordable for Singaporeans and Singapore PR.
The amount each participant has to pay after the training grant subsidy is indicated in the Course Fee section of each course, depending on the age and citizenship of the individual.What is the difference between SkillsFuture Credit and WSQ Training Grant Subsidy?
The SkillsFuture Credit (SFC) aims to encourage individual ownership of skills development and lifelong learning. All Singaporeans aged 25 and above have received an opening credit of S$500, which will not expire and will be topped-up periodically by the government. In 2020, the government announced an additional SFC top-up of $500 which will expire on 31 Dec 2025.
The training grant subsidy for WSQ programme is different from SkillsFuture Credit. This subsidy is applicable for WSQ certifiable courses, and are given to Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Resident (PR). WSQ courses are aligned to the Skills Framework so as to enhance workers capabilities and productivity. The intent of the subsidy is to make these courses more affordable for Singaporeans and Singapore PR. Depending on the age and citizenship of the individual, the training grant subsidy can cover up a significant portion of the course fees.
Learners can pay the nett amount after the training grant subsidy by using their SkillsFuture Credit (SFC) or through other payment modes offered by the training provider.
Which of your courses are WSQ funded?
The Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) is a national credential system that trains, develops, assesses and certifies skills and competencies for the workforce. The WSQ funded programmes are funded and quality-assured by SkillsFuture Singapore, which awards the WSQ certifications.
Currently, the courses that are WSQ funded includes:
• Coaching for Performance and Capability Development (WSQ)
• Emotional Intelligence (EQ) for Transformational Leadership (WSQ)
• Team Leadership for Performance and Results (WSQ)More courses are coming along the way. Stay tune…
Misc. FAQ
Do you provide free parking coupon at the training facility (i.e. M Hotel)?
The hotel will usually provide 3-4 complimentary coupons. Additional day coupon can be purchased at a special rate of $16. What we would usually do is to check the number of participants that drive on that day itself. Suppose we are given 4 free coupons and 6 participants drive. We will purchase additional 2 coupons and share the $32 cost among the 6 participants. If you happen to be one of the only 3-4 participants that drive for that day, then there is no additional charge.
Usually, we try to ask the hotel if they can provide additional free coupon if there happen to be more participants who drive on that day. But that is subjected to their approval.I have registered for the course. How do I make payment?
Upon verification of your registration details and training grant eligibility, we will send you an invoice within 2-3 working days. If you have registered for a course that is commencing at least 3 months later, we would send you an invoice about 2-3 months prior to the start of the course.
Payment can be made via:
– Cheque payment
o Address the cheque to “BP Coach Training Pte Ltd“
o Mail the cheque to “BP Coach Training Pte Ltd, 1 Fullerton Road #02-01 One Fullerton, Singapore 049213“– e-Payment mode (payment details will be in the invoice)
o PayNow / PayLah
o Bank transfer / GIRO– SkillsFuture Credit (SFC) payment
o Only applicable for Singaporean self-sponsored individual
o Login to MySkillsFuture.gov.sg portal to make payment
o Instruction details on SFC payment process will be provided in the invoiceWe do not accept credit/debit card payment.
Can I waitlist for a particular course date?
Yes. When the class for a specific course run that you are interested is full, you can join the waitlist by selecting that date and clicking on the “Join waiting list”.
When a seat becomes available, and you are next on the wait list, the system will send you an email notification to register for that class. Please register immediately upon receiving the notification. Otherwise, the system will email to the next person on the waitlist upon the notification expiry time.What are the courses that are eligible for UTAP claims?
Eligible NTUC members are eligible to defray their cost of training by leveraging on UTAP (Union Training Assistance Programme).
NTUC members can enjoy 50% *unfunded course fee support for up to $250 each year when they sign up for courses supported under UTAP. NTUC members aged 40 and above can enjoy higher funding support up to $500 per individual each year, capped at 50% of unfunded course fees, for courses attended between 1 July 2020 to 31 December 2022.
*Unfunded course fee refers to the balance course fee payable after applicable WSQ training grant subsidy.The following courses are eligible for UTAP claims:
• Coaching for Performance and Capability Development 2.0 (WSQ)
• Emotional Intelligence (EQ) for Transformational Leadership (WSQ)
• Team Leadership for Performance and Results (WSQ)
• Enhancing Coaching Capabilities through Mentor CoachingAll NTUC members can apply for UTAP. However, the following criteria must be met to be eligible for UTAP:
– Paid-up NTUC membership before course commenced, throughout whole course duration and at the point of claim
– Course by training provider must be supported under UTAP, and training must commence within the supported period
– Course must not be fully funded through company sponsorship or other types of funding
– You must achieve a minimum of 75% attendance for each application and sat for all prescribed examination(s), if any
– UTAP application must be submitted within 6 months after course completionPlease refer to the NTUC UTAP Portal for the latest updates and requirements.
How do I make UTAP claim?
After you have made your net payment and completed your training with BP Coach Training, you can login to NTUC U Portal to make your UTAP claim. NTUC Members should apply for their UTAP claim within 6 months after course ends. Late applications will be rejected.
Here is an example of how much UTAP claim you can make and the application process:
Assuming you are a Singapore Citizen aged 40 years old and above. You have registered for our “Coaching for Performance and Capability Development” workshop.
– Course Fee $ 880.00
– Nett Fee payable after Training Grant Subsidy $ 88.00
– Amount of UTAP Funding (50% of nett fee payable) claimable $ 44.00
Upon successful completion of the course, you can login to NTUC U Portal to submit your application and claim back the $44.00 (as in the example). The claims will be credited into your designated bank account.Please download the UTAP Application Guide for the step-by-step instructions on submitting the UTAP claims.
Please feel free to contact us if you have other questions.